Page:St. Nicholas (serial) (IA stnicholasserial321dodg).pdf/439

1905.] ing trees and fences, for from elevated positions they could command a much more extended view of meadow and woodland. Yes, woodchucks really climb fences and small trees, though their first attempts are very clumsy. Never a day passed that the little woodchucks did not receive a lesson in danger-signals. They soon learned to distinguish among the many sounds that came to their ears those that threatened harm from those that meant no harm at all. They learned that a dog is not a dangerous foe, as his presence is usually made known while he is some distance off; but they learned to be very wary when a fox was in the vicinity.



I once knew a dog, however, that was a famous woodchuck-hunter. After locating a woodchuck, Shep would watch his movements for a little time; then, while the woodchuck was feeding, he would move directly toward it, keeping his body close to the ground, but would stop instantly and lie very still whenever the woodchuck raised itself on its haunches to look about for danger. When Shep believed himself to be near enough to the entrance of the burrow, he would make a dash for it, and if he reached it first, there was sure to be one less woodchuck to feed upon the clover.

When the early autumn came, the little cubs were pretty nearly grown up; and soon they settled down to the serious business of life, either finding a deserted burrow or digging one for themselves. Within a space of three days the old burrow had but one occupant, the mother.



Usually each woodchuck has a burrow by itself, but occasionally a pair will live together through the winter. I came upon such a pair, not far from the summer home which had so interested me, and I pleased myself by imagining they were two of my old friends. The spot they had selected for their burrow was on a gentle sunny slope in one corner of the meadow.